Offshore wind development is being sought in the U.S. as a renewable energy source to mitigate climate change by reducing the use of carbon-emitting energy sources.
As sustainable users of the ocean ecosystem, RODA and our members know the importance of addressing climate change. Unfortunately, offshore wind development is not a silver bullet without its own detrimental impacts.
RODA and the fishing industry stand willing to use our knowledge about ocean ecosystems to create innovative, effective solutions for climate and environmental change. There are opportunities for mutual wins, however, offshore wind development is an ocean use that directly conflicts with fishing and primary food production, while imposing significant impacts on marine habitats, biodiversity, and physical oceanography.
United States fishermen, and those in industries dependent on fishing, strongly value continuity of their businesses and ability to produce sustainable, low-carbon protein. There is deep concern that the seafood industry and fishing communities will be enormously disrupted by the myriad of unknown impacts, and unknown scales of impacts, from offshore wind energy development.
RODA worked with a large cross section of fishing industry members to develop the guidelines, best practices and factors for consideration regarding impact fees for the seafood industry from offshore wind energy development.
RODA’s report primarily focuses on impact fees assessed on the offshore wind energy industry to compensate for losses to the fishing industry and communities from development—i.e., the final “step” of impact reduction.
As the lead agency of leasing and permitting offshore wind development projects, BOEM must improve the processes for addressing impacts to fisheries, coastal communities, and research. Here is a list of collaborative opportunities to improve existing approaches to offshore wind development.
